Cutter chain



Jun? 3, 1941. M. P. HOLMES 2,244,198

CUTTER CHAIN Filed Dec. 27, 1932 n lihl:

61/ A@ A 11am# Patented June 3, 1941 UNITED .STATE Curran CHAIN MorrisP. Holmes, Claremont, H., asslgnor to K Sullivan Machinery Company, a.corporation oi'.

Massachusetts Application December` 27, 1932, serial No. 649,003L

13 Claims.

This invention relates to cutter chains, and more particularly toimprovements in cutter chains particularly adapted for use with miningmachines.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved cutter chain'.lAnother object is to provide an improved cutter chain having improvedmeans for holding the cutter bit in place within the bit block. Afurther object is to provide an improved cutter bit for a cutter chain.Still another object is -to providev an improved cutter bit having aplurality of cutting surfaces and having associated therewith improvedholding means. A still further object isfto provide an improved bit.holding means for holding, a cutter bitin cutting position on a chainblock These and other objects and advantages `of the invention will,however, hereinafter'more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing there is shown for purposes of illustrationone form which the invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing, Fig. 1' is a side elevational view of the illustrativeembodiment of the improved cutter chain.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view takenV substantially on line2--2'of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3is a central longitudinal sectional view taken substantially online 3-,-3 of Fig. l2.

Fig. 4' is a perspective view of the bit holder. Fig. 5 is a perspectiveview 'of the cutter bit. In this illustrative embodimentrl of theinvention there is shown a cutter chaincomprising a bit block l havingpivotally connected thereto at 2 straps 3, the bit or chain block'andstrap construction illustrated being of a design in common use. The bitblock I is provided with a transverse opening or socket 4 disposed atright angles to the path of travel of the cutter chain and acommunicating threaded opening 5 arranged in the bit block at the rearof the'socket 4, as shown in Fig. 3. The socket 4 receives the shank 6of a bit holder 1, the threaded opening 5 receiving a set screw 8 forengaging the holder shank to clamp the bit holder in position within thesocket 4, against the forward face of the socket.l In this improvedconstruction, the outer end ofl the bit holder l is bifurcated, hereinformed with a longitudinal slot 9, and the furcations thereof havealined openings for receiving a transverse holding and abutment element,herein a holding and abutment pin I0. '.I'he improved cutter bit II isherein of triangular formation comprising a body I2 having a transverseslot or notch I3 in its outer face, and the opposed ysides of thetriangle forming cutting points I4 and I5. In this instance the bit bodyis in the form' of an obtuse-angled isosceles triangle having itscutting points formed at ythe angles opposite its equal sides, and theholding means engages the base portion of the triangle. The nishedbithas its points I4 and I5 at its opposite ends and at the extremities ofelongated faces which are alike in outline, are in planes forming adihedral angle whose edge includes the opposite lateral extremity of thebit, and are individually symmetrical as to both major and minor axiallines.

When the bit is in place within the bit block, asv yshown in Fig. 3, thelower side I6 of theatriangular portion of the bit rests against theouter surface I1 of the bit block both forwardly and rearwardly of theforward wall of the socket 4, and the transverse pinengaging theslot I3in the bit cooperates to hold the bit in positiomthe bit being arrangedWithin the slotfSr in the bifurcated end of the'bit holder and theshankr of the bit holder held in the socket 4 by the set screw 8. Aportion of the inner inactive bit surface which abuts the outer surfaceof the chain block, engages the outer chain block surface in advance ofthe front wall of the chain block socket, as shown in Fig. 3. When thecutting end I4 of the bit becomes dull, the set screw 8 may be released,thereby loosening the bit to enable ref lease of the bit from the bitholder. The. bit may then be turned end for end or reversed within thebit holder slot 9, the surface I8 of the bit at that time engaging thesurface Il of the bit block with the cutting end I5 then active.

As a result of this invention, it will benoted that an improved cutterbit is provided having improved means for holding the same in placewithin the bit `holder,vthe cutter bit being of improved design having aplurality of cutting ends .and having improved means intermediate thecutting ends adapted for engagement with improved holding means. It willfurther be noted that the improvedbit and holding means are of" anextremely simple design, the improved bit'being extremely inexpensive tomanufacture, thereby reducing themanufacture and replacement costs` to aminimum. It will be observed further that the means for holding the .bitin position on the bit block includes a surface of the bit blockparallel to the path of travel of the cutter chainand engageable by oneof the plane surfaces on the bit, the bit specifically, in theembodiment of. the invention illustrated, having its inactive cuttingsurface resting against an 2 i l a,a44,1os t outer surface of the bitblock. It will further benotedthatthebitissecurelyclampedbythe holdingmeans illustrated; and the inactive cutting face of the bit engagessurfaces on the block both forwardly of and to the rear of the holderreceiving socket, with the result that since the 'pin coacts with theback of the bit, the bit is securely held by abutment surfaces engaginga ually blocked by the contacts of the inactive wall, a bit having apair of obliquely related cutting surfaces at its opposite endsterminating in cutting points at its opposite extremities at .theback'of the bit, and a bit holder, the bit holder having an opening forreceiving said bit, said bit block and bit holder cooperating to providemeans for holding said bit firmly during use said bit holding meansincluding means stantionary with respect to the bit block irrespectivecutting surface of the bit with the chain block. A

The notch I3 in the bit provides both surfaces facing rearwardly andsurfaces facing forwardly, and thus securely holds the bit againstmovement in both directions. Because the pin Il of the position of saidholder'with respect to said socket and which means provides a surfaceforward of the forward wall of said bit block socket with which surfacea surface of said bit relatively remote from the back of the latter ispressed into contact when said bit holder is pressed into said socket asfar as it will go with the bit in `said-openlng, said socket being soformed in said block and said opening so formed in said bit holder thatwhen said holder approaches the surfaces on the bit block con- 4 tactedby the inactive cutting surface of the bit when the holder shank 6 isforced into the holder receiving socket 4, a positive and effectiveclamping action is obtained, and a portion of the bit may be placedunder compression, thus eliminating loosenesaby pressing the holder asfar in wardly into its socket as possible, and then tightening the setscrew. These and other uses and advantages of the improved cutter chainwill be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art. y

While there is in this application specifically described one form whichthe invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that thisform of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that theinvention maybe modied and embodied in various other forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A cutter bit having a body in zthe form of an obtuse-angled isoscelestriangle inside elevation and having cutting portions formed at theangles opposite its equal sides, and a notch formed in the base of thetriangle and adapted for engagement with holding means.

2. In a cutter chain, a bit block. a bit having a pair of plane cuttingsurfaces at its opposite ends-and lying in oblique planes disposed, atan obtuse angle with each other, and means for holding said bit incutting position on saidbit block including a surface on the bit blockparallel to the path of travel of the cutter chain engageable with oneof said plane surfaces on the bit.

3. In combination, a cutter bit comprising a body having opposed cuttingends formed at the extremities of plane cutting surfaces which lie inthe sides of a dihedral angle, a bit block having a socket therein, andmeans engageable with the bit body intermediate said cutting ends forclamping one cutting surface of the bit body in position against anouter surface of said bit block, said clamping means adapted forreception in the socket within the bit block and effecting bit clampingby movement inwardly in said socket.

4. In a cutter chain, in combination, a bit is in bit holding positionin said socket and said bit is in working position iny said opening aline connecting the cutting points of the bit makes anV obtuse,forwardly opening angle with the intersectinglinewhich extends into said'socket centrally of the latter.

5. In a cutter chain. the combination comprising a chain block having asocket arranged at right angles to the path of travely of the cutterchain, a cutter bithaving a pair of plane cutting faces at its oppositeends and lying in oblique planes disposed at an obtuse angle to eachother, and bit holding means for holding said cutter bit in cuttingpositionon said chain block and including a bit holder having a head anda shank, said holder head having an opening for receiving the cutter bitand said shank receivable in said chain. bl'ock socket, said holdingmeans including a surface on the block and a relatively movable surfaceon the holder movable inwardly and outwardly relative to said surface onthe block as said shank is moved in and out in said socket, said cutterbithaving surfaces engaging said ilrst mentioned surfaces, one of saidsurfaces on the bit comprising one of said plane cutting faces. and.said surface on said block so positioned thereonr that the surface onthe bit engageable therewith may be moved into-contact therewith byrectilinear inserting movement of the holder shank into the block socketwhen the bit is received in said head opening.

6. In combination, a bit having a .forward cutting face, a rearwardsurface making an acute angle with said cutting face and an inwardsurface disposed atan angle with respect to said cutting face and saidrearward surface and utilizable also upon reversal of said bit as acutting face, and supporting means for said bit including achainblockand a bit holder, said block having a socket disposed at an angle atleast approximating a right angle to the path of travel of the block andsaid bit holder having a portion for reception in `said socket, saidsupporting means for said blt including, in part on said block and inpart on 'said holder, means providing abutmentsurfacesclampingrelationship between which and said bit is establishableby inward movement of the holder into said socket while said bit remainsrelatively stationary with respect to said bit holder in engagement withthe abutment-surface-providlng means on the latter and which abutmentsurfaces coact to clamp said bit against both inward and outwardmovement, said abutment-surface-providing means on said block providingan abutment surface stationary with respect to said block and forwardlof thevforwardmost point. upon the 7. In a cutter chain, the' combina ncom- I prising a chain block having a holder-receiving socket disposedat -right` angles to the path of travel of the cutter chain andabit-engaging abutment surface, ;aV holder receivable.. in said blocksocket and having a bit-receiving (mening,

a double-ended reversible cutter bit having plane cutting facesterminating in cutting points at the opposite ends of the bit, said bitreceivable.

'face held firmly against said block abutment surface, and means on saidblock `for securing said holder in bit-holding position in said blocksocket.

8. In ,a cutter chain,l the combination comf holderopening with itsactive cutting face pro- /prising a chain block having aholder-receiving socket disposed at right angles to the path of travelofthe cutter chain and also having supported thereon a bit-engagingabutment surface between the forward side of said socket and the'prising a chain block having a holder-receiving socket disposed atright angles to the path of travel of the cutter chain and abit-engaging abutment lsurfacediii'posed at one side of said socket, aholder having a shank receivable-in saidnbiock: socket, an opening forreceivingva' cutter .bit anda 'bit-'engaging abutment surface,

a double-ended reversible cutter bitl having cut-- *ting faces lyinginthe sides of a triangleand terminating in cutting. points at 'thesame'sidefof the bit," said cutter ybit receivable in vsaid jectingforwardly and outwardly from the holder at the outer side offsaid'blockand with av portion of one of its cutting faces in engagement with ,vsaid block abutment surfacasaid bit also engaging said holderabutmentsurface, said holder abutment surface precluding movement of the bit inone directionwithin said holder opening and said 4abutment surface onsaid block .precluding bit' movement said holder opening in the opposite`direction, said holder upon inward movement of its shank within saidholder socket clamping said bit in cutting position on said block,andkmeans on the block for securing-theI holdershank within said blocksocket.`

11. In a cutterchain, the combination corn- .prising a chain blockhaving -a socket disposed at least approximately at right angles to thefront. of the block, a holder receivame m said so path 0f travel 0f thecutter chain and bitsaid holder at the outer side of saidblock and withthe inactive cutting face engaging said block abutment surface, said bithaving a forwardly facing abutment surface engageable with said holderabutment surface for precluding forward release of said bit from saidholder opening, said holder upon inward movement thereof within saidblock socket clamping the bit in cutting position on said block with theinactive cuttingV face held firmly against said block abutment surface,and means on said block for securing said holder in bit-holding positionin said block socket.

9. In a cutter chain, the combination comprising a chain block having aholder-receiving socket disposed at right angles to the path of travelof the cutter chain and a bit-engaging abutment surface disposed at oneside of said socket, a holder having a shank receivable in said blocksocket and an opening for receiving a cutter bit, a double-endedreversible cutter bit having cutting faces lying in the side of atriangle and terminating in cutting points at the same'side of the bit,said cutter bit receivable in said holder opening with its activecutting face projecting forwardly and outwardly from said holder at theouter side ofsaid block and with a portion of one of its cutting facesin engagement with saidblock abutment surface, said holder upon inwardmovement of its shank withengaging abutment surface disposed at one side'of said socket, said socket opening outwardly through said block at theouter side of the latter, a holder having a shank receivable in saidblock socket and an opening for receiving a cutter bit, said holder alsohaving a bit-engaging abutment surface, a double-ended reversible cutterbit lreceivable in said holder opening and having plane cutting surfacesterminating in cutting points at the opposite ends of the bit, one ofsaid bit surfaces engaging said block abutment surface, when said holderis inserted in said socket with the cutter bit carried in workingposition in Saidopening, to prevent movement of said bit in onedirection within said holder opening and said-holder abutment surfaceengaging a surface on said bit to preclude movement of said bit withinthe holder opening inthe opposite direction, said holder upon inwardmovement of its shank within said block socket clamping the bit incutting position on said block with its active cutting surfaceprojecting forwardly and outwardly from said' holder and with saidabutment surfaces on said block and holder engaging said one of saidcutting surfaces and said last recited blt surface respectively, andmeans on said block for securing said holder shank within said blocksocket. l 12. In a cutter chain, the combination comprising a chainblock having a socket disposed at least approximately at iight angles tothe path of travel of the cutter chain and a bit-engaging abutmentsurface disposed at one side of said socket, said socket openingoutwardly through said block at the outer side of the latter, a holder.having a shank receivable in said block socket and an opening forreceiving a cutter bit, said holder also having a bit-engaging abutmentsurface, `a double-ended reversible cutter bit receivable in said holderopening and having plane cutting surfaces terminating in cutting pointsat the opposite ends of the bit, one of said bit surfaces engaging saidblock abutment surface to prevent movement of said bit in one directionwithin said holder opening and said holder abutment surface engaging asumce on said bit to e preclude movement of said bit within the holderopening `in the opposite direction, said holder upon inward movement 'ofits shank within said block socket clamping the bit in cutting position.on said block with its active cutting surface projecting forwardly andoutwardly from said holder and with said abutment surfaces on said blockand holder engaging said one of said cutting sur.. faces and said lastrecited bit surface respectively, said holder shank n being movableoutwardly within the block socket while the relation of the bit to saidholder remains the same as when said bit is in cutting position. andoutward movement of said holder within said block socket eectingdisengagement between one of said abutment surfaces and said bit toenable withdrawal o! said bit from said holder opening, and means onsaid block for securing said holder `shank in said block socket.

13. In a cutter chain. the combination comprising a cutter bit having apair of obliquely related cutting-surfaces' at its opposite endstertremities at `the back of the bit, and a cutter bit supportingstructure providing an opening for receiving said cutter bit andincluding a support element. said Vsupporting structure also providingmeans for holding said cutter bit nrxnly in` cuttingposition during useand including means stationary with respect to said support f elementirrespective of the position of said cutter minating in cutting pointsat its opposite exbit with respect thereto and relative to which saidcutter bit is movable; and which latter means provides a surface at theforward side of said support element and with which surface a surface ofsaid bit is pressed into contact when said bit is nrmly held in `itspositionv of useby said supporting structure with said bit in saidopening, said supporting structure and said opening being so formedthatwhen said bit is firmly held in cutting position in said opening a lineconnecting the cutting points of said bit makes an obtuse, forwardlyopening angle with an intersecting line which extends normal to the pathof movement of said support element.

MORRIS P. HOLMES.

